Jaguar Photos

Finally! Photos of My 2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2L V8

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Job Lists for Kids

Incentives & Ulterior Motives

The struggles and frustrations of coping with adult ADD are very real.  Step into my house, and you will immediately see what I mean.  If you took the time to follow the preceding link, you may have read the checklist and thought each of the items fits.  That may be true, but in those of us with ADD, the occurrences and severity is magnified tremendously – sometimes to a debilitating degree!

As I came down the stairs this morning to make my coffee, once again I was immediately irritated by the condition of my kitchen.  When things have to be cleaned up or moved before I can get to the coffee maker or get the coffee pot under the faucet, it really detracts from my morning beauty. <grin>

So today I shoved everything out of my way and got that coffee started.  While the coffee brewed, I unloaded the dishwasher, so I could then unload the sink.  I am not without blame by any stretch, and I admit that.  Half of the table clutter that I tackled next was mine.  I am notorious for piles!  I stopped at the table this time, though.

From there, I grabbed my cup of coffee and headed for my laptop to create job lists.  There are daily and weekly expectations for everyone, as there should be in every house.  These are things that I will not pay them to do.  Then there are the job lists, which include amounts paid for each task on the list.  There is a list for the kitchen, the lower level (family room & bathroom), and the main level (dining room & living room).  There is one amount paid if the tasks are done on Friday or Saturday, and half the amount is paid if the tasks are done on Sunday or later.  The hope here is to create an incentive not only to pitch in and help but also to get the work done early in case we have company.  I will give them the opportunity to do the work on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday is fair game.  If I get to it first, my initials go by the task thereby eliminating the chance for them to earn the money for that task!

The ulterior motive here is for them to realize why I get so cranky when doing housework.  I believe this is already working because as the girls started working in the kitchen, I could hear them getting huffy with each other!  YES!

I love it when my brain quiets down enough to allow me to get creative like this!

High School Dance – More than Dirty Dancing

Letter to the Principal and Superintendent

I am shocked and dismayed by what I just learned goes on in the middle of the dance floor at high school dances.  I trust I don’t need to go into details, and you understand exactly what I’m referring to.  If not, please see this video clip.

I asked my son if he knew about this, and he (without hesitation) said, “Yeah, I know.”  He told me the teachers try to stop it, but they can’t get to the middle.  To summarize our conversation, he seemed to believe that attempts to stop this behavior are not strenuous enough for fear of losing dance attendance, which means less money for the school.  I’m sure that is not the case, but for it to appear that way to a teenager is equally unacceptable.  This is not the message I want my daughters to receive.

What will be done to ensure this will not continue to happen?  Is the lack of enforcement due to fear of being sued?  If that’s what it comes down to in order to get the message out that such behavior will not, under any uncertain terms, be tolerated, then I should think that would be a risk worth taking.

It’s Been a Long Day – Rosi Golan

This about sums it up…

I only planned on working a few hours today.  Since this week included a holiday and 4 hours of sick time used for eye exams for Josh and myself, I won’t be receiving overtime pay for the time I worked, but it’s still pay regardless.  I don’t know about every state, but in Colorado, you have to actually work more than 40 hours in one week to receive overtime for anything beyond that.  I ended up working just shy of a full eight hours today anyway, and my last case took over an hour to work through.  Ay, ay ay!  There certainly are some colorful birds in this world!  That’s all I’m sayin’ about that!

I had thought about heading out to Colorado Mills to play miniature golf at their indoor, black light lit course (Putting Edge), but everyone else was being very lazy.  Then it started raining and raining and raining, and it’s still raining.  So I logged into my Pandora account and listened to Coffeehouse music while I worked.  I heard the song above after clocking out, and it just resonated with me.

Maybe we’ll just go out for dinner tonight.  I checked Fandango for movies, and there’s nothing the whole family can see.  There are a lot of R-rated movies out right now!  So I’m thinking a late dinner after the crowds thin, but first a stop at Walmart to look for Coconut M&Ms.  I am determined to find these glorious sweets!

The Bad Kharma (aka: CAR-ma) Continues

Old theatre seating behind the now closed Aztlan Theater.

For my second photo shoot of the day, I drove my friend and her three lovely daughters to the Sante Fe Art District for it’s fabulous backdrops.  We park in the alley just to the east of Santa Fe between 10th & 9th and all pile out of the Sonata.  After taking my camera from the bag and attaching my speedlight, I thought about which equipment I needed to bring with me.  Evidently, there is too much on my mind … I put the camera strap around my head and shut the trunk.  Then I froze.  I meant to grab the camera bag.  The camera bag which contained my wallet, cell phone, and KEY TO THE CAR!  I believe I dropped the f-bomb here.

The only one with a cell phone not locked in the car was one with no minutes (texting only).  Jason was working, and Josh isn’t comfortable enough to drive downtown yet.  Greg had to wait for the guy from the dealership where Jason’s new car came from because there were more papers to be signed.

Since there was nothing else to do about it, we went ahead with the photo shoot while we waited.  That’s what we were there for, and that had to be my main focus.  Watch for photos on …behind the scenes… soon!

It didn’t hit me until later, and even then it wasn’t really for the simple fact that it happened.  Stuff happens (more so lately), and it doesn’t do any good to stress over it because in the end, it all works out somehow.  What hit me more is the fact that I had others with me who did start to get a little nervous.  Right now, all I want to do is put it in the past and forget about it.  Part of me just wants to put air in the bike tires and start using that as my mode of transportation instead of any car.  This bad Kharma has to end soon!

Hearing “I Told You So” and Plugging Ears

When people warned me that a Jaguar would spend time in the shop, I didn’t think it’s first trip would be to the body repair shop!  Allow me to set the stage…

I had an appointment for a haircut on Tuesday at 12:30 PM.  Jason was preparing to wash his new car (2004 Tiburon).  I told Jason I had to leave in about ten minutes.  He asked if I wanted him to move my car, and I said yes then went upstairs to change.  When I walked out of the house, the sun was really bright, so I was looking down at the ground all the way to my car, which was now parked in the street at the end of the driveway.  I proceeded to drive to the hair place, and it was only then that I turned back to admire my car that I saw the passenger door chrushed in!  The shock wave that hit me is indescribable as my brain struggled to regain functionality in the memory department.  Why had I not seen this before?  Where did I go yesterday?  Who hit my car?!

Never mind the haircut that wasn’t really what I wanted because I couldn’t focus on what she was asking me, I finally realized the only possible answer to that last question.  It had to have been Jason just moments before.  I drove home in tears ready to scream when I got home, but he wasn’t there.  He had to stop by work for something.  So instead, I went inside and just sobbed.  Then I told my boss I needed to use sick time for the rest of my day (2 hours) and explained the situation.  I was just too shook up to concentrate on work.  

Through some text messages, I discovered that the emergency brake was up, but it must have been in neutral instead of first gear when shut off.  Whatever the case, when Jason went to get the hose, he heard it!  His car rolled down the driveway and into my car!  He has a small scratch on his rear bumper.  Who knows where his car would have ended up if mine hadn’t been there!  Should that be any consolation?

Immediately, I went into the “what if” game and started beating myself up thinking it’s another omen or bad kharma (CAR-ma again).  Maybe I shouldn’t have bought the car after all.  What if those few nay-sayers were right?  Am I going to hear “I told you so” from those people?

Later that same day I had some errands to run.  When I came out of Target, it looked like someone’s orange soda had spilled and was running across the parking lot.  However, this was coming from directly under my car.  Closer inspection showed it to be running in a steady flow from under my car!  Coolant leak.  Oh, what NOW?  Is it possible the impact caused something to crack, or is this some freakish coincidence and totally unrelated?  I did mention this to the claims adjuster when she called.  Again, I get the feeling this will be a known issue with Jags and can hear more “I told you so” comments from the peanut gallery.

You know what?  I will deal with it!  This is a huge pisser for sure, but it WILL be fixed.  Thank God we have insurance!  So I’ll plug my ears and shout, “La la la la la la la la la … I can’t hear you!”  Tell me so all you want.  This car will be beautiful again and running sublimely before our trip to St. Louis in November!  This will not crush my dream.  My spirit … a little, but NOT my dream!

College Immediately after High School?

Depends on Your Career Goals

Since two of my kids are at the age where they could be heading off to college, I’m more deeply touched when reading blogs and social network site updates about my friend’s kids leaving the nest to start their college life on campus.  I don’t know how many of those kids are certain about the careers they want to pursue and how many are using their freshman year to get the prerequisites out of the way while they try to decide.  I’m guessing it may be fair to assume it’s about a 50/50 split.  I found an article on Campus Grotto to be interesting.

No, my boys are not headed off to college this week.  They aren’t tossing their stuff in a dorm room and settling in.  Unfortunately, they couldn’t even if they had wanted to.  You see, some kids find learning very difficult.  What comes easily to most is a real struggle for others.  When this happens, it’s sad that these kids essentially give up – especially on subjects that aren’t necessary for their career choice.  When this happens, grades plummet, ultimately leaving the students without enough credits to graduate with their class.  Enter the GED!

Sadly for many, another reason for not heading off to college immediately after graduating is the cost.  Sure there are student loans, and student loans are viewed as “good debt”, but it is debt just the same.  Some simply can afford it due to already existing debt.  Despite what the government thinks based on the income of the prospective student’s parents alone, that income-debt ratio is the killer!  We make too much money in the eyes of the government to qualify for any grants.  The bottom line, without taking out a Plus Loan as parents for one of our boys alone was a monthly payment of more than half our mortgage payment!  For this reason, he decided to work more first to save money.

The typical four-year college plan doesn’t fit either of our boys’ career goals.  We still have three years before our first daughter has this decision to make, but with her current goal of Interior Designer, the four-year plan will be the way for her.  If she wanted to settle for Interior Decorator, a two-year plan would probably suffice.  The boys are very different – one is going for automotive technology, and the other is going for computer technology.  Four years of history, science, and literature would be useless for them.

So, while I am concerned that a gap between high school and college education could have a detrimental effect on my boys, I do have to fluff my mother hen feathers in their defense when I feel their motives are under attack.  I recently heard something to the effect of, “So when’s that boy of yours going to get his GED and continue his education?”  He was just as much serious as he was joking, and I felt my feathers starting to puff out.  I understand his concern since my son is dating his daughter, but it’s also a sensitive subject.  He may have it set in his mind that there’s only one way to achieve your career goals, and that’s fine if it worked for him.  There needs to be a mutual respect for the different paths chosen, though.

Nay-Sayers Take Heart – I’m Covered!

Good News Keeps Rolling In…

Let me start by saying that I was able to secure an extended warranty for my recently purchased 2005 Jaguar S-Type.  We are covered for another 5 years/100,000 miles bumper-to-bumper.  So to the few well-intending people who were skeptical and tried to warn me about expensive repairs and that Jags spend a lot of time in the shop, take heart.  I’m covered!

I learned that same day that insurance is only $11/month more than the 2009 Sonata we traded in.

Also, after using just over a quarter tank of gas, I’ve found the gas mileage to be the same as our 2007 Sonata!

Good news keeps rolling in, and I have much to be grateful for at this moment!  It’s important to recognize this since I was also conflicted over need vs. want.  I don’t splurge on much, and this was a dream I never thought possible.  I worried about the materialistic aspect, and I still do a bit.  However, I did not purchase this brand new.  The S-Type has actually been replaced by the XF, and that would set you back about $50,000!  My 4-year old Jag only set us back $16,000 before trade, and it did not impact any current financial situation.

I cannot explain how things turned out the way they did.  Perhaps it was Karma (CAR-ma)!

New Car – It’s Really Mine?

Comfort!

I can’t believe I have a Jaguar!  The way it all fell into place without even looking for it is a little surreal to me.  The first place time I remember saying that I wanted a Jag was while watching Knots Landing.  Gary Ewing drove a Jag, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

While signing and initialing a stack of papers, the sales guy filled out a “We Owe You” form to include repairing the air conditioner/unit.  They seem to think that it’s just low on freon and are going to try that first.  I insisted that they take care of whatever it takes if that alone doesn’t work.  Living in Colorado doesn’t mean air conditioning is optional!  Maybe if I always had carefree hair, I wouldn’t mind driving with the windows down and the roof opened.  It’s very distracting to have my hair blowing in my face when I’m trying to drive, though!

The S-Type is reminiscent of the old Mark II of the 1960's, which I love!

I loaded up the 6 CD changer in the trunk today, so I know that works!  They are ordering a manual for me, but Greg has already downloaded one.  That doesn’t do me any good since it’s on his desktop.  I’ll have to do the same so I can figure out how to set the clock.  You don’t just use a pen to set the time.  Oh no… there’s a complex step-by-step process beginning with pressing and holding “Mode” then cycling through some other buttons (and there are MANY buttons).  At least I have my seat/pedal/steering wheel settings saved!

2005 Jaguar S-Type 4.2L V8 is Mine!

We took it out on the highway for a pretty long test drive, and it just got sweeter by the minute.  Beauty, comfort, and excellent handling!  Back at the dealership, Greg got to have some fun “playing the game”.  I think he just likes to see the sales guy hustle back and forth!  It was pretty funny, but the guy was great about it.   It was dark by the time we got out of there, so I have no new pictures to share yet.  Be patient!

We ended up trading Greg’s 2009 Sonata (4 cyl) and keeping mine (6 cyl) for him.  What’s great is that they were able to accept our claim check to for hail damage repair on that car towards a downpayment!  Between that and getting them to come down another grand on their price, my smile kept getting bigger.  The bottom line exceeded expectations, and the car is mine!